[AccessD] OT:Xmas Soldier

I probably am Susan, 
See what you make of this poem. As an ex Soldier, I couldn't read it without
crying.
Max
Ps. Contrary to popular belief, I do have a heart!


This was written by a British Serviceman serving overseas, but can equally
apply to many nationalities.

IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY - ALL IS SECURE

IT WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, HE LIVED ALL ALONE, 
IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF PLASTER AND STONE 
I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE 
AND TO SEE JUST WHO IN THIS HOME DID LIVE

I LOOKED ALL ABOUT - A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE ; 
NO TINSEL NO PRESENTS NOT EVEN A TREE.
NO STOCKING BY THE MANTLE, JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND, 
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.
WITH MEDALS AND BADGES, AWARDS OF ALL KINDS, 
A SOBER THOUGHT CAME THROUGH MY MIND

FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT - IT WAS DARK AND DREARY ; 
I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER. ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY 
THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING SILENT ALONE CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR 
IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME

THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE ;  
THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER, 
NOT HOW I PICTURED A LONE BRITISH SOLDIER.
WAS THIS THE HERO OF WHOM I'D JUST READ 
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO THE FLOOR FOR A BED

I REALISED THE FAMILIES THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT 
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.
SOON ROUND THE WORLD THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY 
AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY

THEY ALL ENJOY FREEDOM EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR 
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS, LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.
I COULDN'T HELP WONDER HOW MANY ALONE
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME

THE VERY THOUGHT BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE, 
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES AND STARTED TO CRY.
THE SOLDIER AWAKENED AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE 
'SANTA, DON'T CRY - THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM, 
I DON'T ASK FOR MORE.
MY LIFE IS MY GOD, MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS'

THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP.
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT I CONTINUED TO WEEP.
I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS SO SILENT AND STILL 
AND WE BOTH SAT AND SHIVERED FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.
I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE ON THAT COLD DARK NIGHT 
THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOUR SO WILLING TO FIGHT

THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER AND WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE 
WHISPERED 'CARRY ON SANTA, IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY - ALL IS SECURE'
ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT
'MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND AND TO ALL - A GOOD NIGHT'


THIS POEM WAS WRITTEN BY A PEACE- KEEPING SOLDIER STATIONED OVERSEAS.
THE FOLLOWING IS HIS REQUEST I THINK IT IS REASONABLE.

"PLEASE WOULD YOU DO ME THE KIND FAVOUR OF SENDING THIS TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS
YOU CAN 
CHRISTMAS WILL BE COMING SOON AND SOME CREDIT IS DUE TO OUR BRITISH SERVICE
MEN AND WOMEN FOR OUR BEING ABLE TO CELEBRATE THESE FESTIVITIES.

LET'S TRY IN THIS SMALL WAY TO PAY A TINY BIT BACK OF WHAT WE OWE !

Merry Christmas 
 

-----Original Message-----
From: accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
[mailto:accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Susan Harkins
Sent: Saturday, December 22, 2007 2:06 PM
To: Access Developers discussion and problem solving
Subject: Re: [AccessD] OT:Xmas Fairy

Max, you are so sick! ;) 

Susan H. 


> SANTA'S TREE

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